[Cynthia Moore]

We have one furnace on each floor, so we have two thermostats. They are both 30 year old Honeywell 7-day programmable thermostats.

I'd like to see about getting new "smart" thermostats. I do not want a Nest or anything similar that thinks it knows what the temperature should be. I want to program it the way I want it, but I'd like to be able to adjust the temperature from my PC or phone when we are on vacation. That way if I forget to turn the temperature down, I can do it remotely, and I can turn it back up an hour before we return or if one of the kids comes to stay while we are away.

I would appreciate any recommendations.

 

[yuri]

Honeywell makes very good thermostats.

This one allows you to use your own programming or have some non Nest programs. You can have it track your phone and then raise the temp when you start travelling home etc.

Or you can use the way yours is now but override it with your phone.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywe...ammable-Thermostat-RCHT8612WF2005-U/305518670

However it does not "learn" and try override your settings with some weird algorithms.

One problem with installing these thermostats is all brands need a extra "C" common wire and you may need to have one installed between your existing one's location and for the new Wi-Fi unit.

Some people have a spare wire in the wall behind their current one and other people have to get one installed which is not always easy.

The unit comes with a "cheater" device to simulate that wire but most Pro's hate them as they can damage your furnace circuit board. I would NOT use it.

 

[surferdude2]

I agree, Honeywell is always a good choice. I have seen the RTH6580WF model work and would recommend it. Shop around... I see it for a wide range of prices.

SD2

 

[Cynthia Moore]

Honeywell makes very good thermostats.

This one allows you to use your own programming or have some non Nest programs. You can have it track your phone and then raise the temp when you start travelling home etc.

Or you can use the way yours is now but override it with your phone.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywe...ammable-Thermostat-RCHT8612WF2005-U/305518670

However it does not "learn" and try override your settings with some weird algorithms.

Thanks. That looks good.

One problem with installing these thermostats is all brands need a extra "C" common wire and you may need to have one installed between your existing one's location and for the new Wi-Fi unit.

Some people have a spare wire in the wall behind their current one and other people have to get one installed which is not always easy.

The unit comes with a "cheater" device to simulate that wire but most Pro's hate them as they can damage your furnace circuit board. I would NOT use it.

How can I tell if I have a "C" wire?

 

[Cynthia Moore]

I agree, Honeywell is always a good choice. I have seen the RTH6580WF model work and would recommend it. Shop around... I see it for a wide range of prices.

SD2

Thanks

 

[yuri]

If you remove the thermostat/tstat you have now and there is a wire attached to a C terminal ( not likely at that age ) then you have one.

If the tstat has 4 wires and there is a extra one attached to the bundle and is not used then you have a extra usable wire. Some people have extra wires or unused wires from a old tstat or unused humidifier in that hole.

In the OLD days we had 2 wire heat only tstats. Then people added AC and ran 4 new wires and the original 2 were sometimes left there.

IMO the extra $$ spent on a wi-fi is a waste of money. It is a toy and unless you REALLY want to have some features like being able to start your AC from your cottage on the way home then why buy one.

You will never save enough gas/$$ to pay for the extra cost but people like toys and technology and they are popular.

You may want to think hard if you really need them. If the kids come over I am sure they can turn the heat up and wait 20 mins for the house to warm up and won't suffer or die.:wink2:

You can monitor your house temp and if the heat goes off call someone but most people go home everyday and you have to be home to let a tech in and pay him anyway.

Your house won't freeze in a few hours. Point is make sure you really want those features and are willing to pay for them. If you need another wire and have to pay someone to install it then that gets very expensive.

Some DIYers can install that wire but it is usually hard to do.

 

[Smokindog]

As has been said multiple times, first make sure you have power or can provide power ('C' wire).

If you pass that hurdle, I've been really happy with my radio thermostat CT50's. They're pretty affordable thee days as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Thermo...=radio+thermostat+CT50&qid=1578204209&sr=8-67

The portal is free, it doesn't try to out think you, the app for a smart phone is free, you can also control it from your PC and there's a "freeware" app from http://setyourthermostat.com/ to provide readout in your windows activity tray.

 

[coolair111]

Nest thermostat causes problems all the time. Honeywell is recommended as you also want to control it through wi-fi so that will surely solve your problem.

 

[AlexXk]

I use programmable thermostat by Honeywell. Super easy installation.
https://www.partzstop.com/collectio...210u2002-t4-pro-programmable-thermostat-2h-1c